UMBC vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

UMBC vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Jefferson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than Jefferson ($18,770 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 4.3% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($15,146 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 258.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $34,249 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.9% higher at Jefferson than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $16,230 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 243.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($35,007 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Jefferson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Jefferson and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 80 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

UMBC vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Jefferson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $63,400 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $8,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($12,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($129 vs. $219).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.